CHAPTER 3 — THE SECRET IN THE BASEMENT
Emily turned around.
A shadow moved across the hallway.
She screamed.
The figure ran toward the back door.
Emily grabbed her phone and called the police.
Within minutes, officers arrived.
Nobody was there.
But on the floor, Emily found something.
A gold cufflink.
She recognized it.
It belonged to Daniel Sterling.
Marcus arrived shortly afterward.
He examined the cufflink carefully.
“Are you sure?”
Emily nodded.
“I saw him wearing it at the gala.”
Marcus placed it inside an evidence bag.
“Now we know Daniel was here.”
“But why?”
“That is what we're going to find out.”
The next morning, Marcus searched Daniel's financial records.
Millions of dollars had moved between secret accounts.
Most of the transfers were connected to companies registered overseas.
But one company stood out.
Sterling Heritage Holdings.
The company owned a large portion of Victoria's family estate.
Marcus discovered that Daniel had secretly transferred shares into the company.
If Victoria died or became legally incapable of managing her affairs, Daniel would gain control.
Marcus immediately went to Victoria.
“You need to hear this.”
He showed her the documents.
Victoria stared at them.
“No.”
“Your husband has been moving your assets.”
“No.”
“He also lied about his location last night.”
Victoria's hands began shaking.
“Daniel wouldn't do this.”
Marcus looked at her.
“People rarely betray us in ways we expect.”
Victoria stood.
“I want to speak to him.”
They found Daniel at a private club that afternoon.
Victoria walked toward him.
“Why?”
Daniel looked at her.
“What?”
“Why did you do it?”
Daniel's face became pale.
Marcus placed the financial documents on the table.
Daniel stared at them.
Then he laughed.
“You finally figured it out.”
Victoria's eyes filled with tears.
“How could you?”
Daniel leaned back.
“You had everything.”
“I built everything.”
“Exactly.”
Daniel's voice became bitter.
“You built the empire. You made all the decisions. I was always your husband, never your equal.”
Victoria shook her head.
“So you tried to steal it?”
“I tried to take what I deserved.”
“You framed Emily.”
Daniel's expression changed.
“I didn't hurt that girl.”
“You threatened her.”
“I warned her.”
Victoria looked at him with disgust.
“You destroyed your own family for money.”
Daniel stood.
“You don't understand.”
“I understand perfectly.”
Suddenly, Daniel's phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed immediately.
“What?”
He listened.
Then he whispered:
“No.”
He hung up.
Marcus noticed.
“What happened?”
Daniel looked terrified.
“Olivia.”
Victoria froze.
“What about our daughter?”
Daniel stared at them.
“She knows everything.”
Before anyone could move, Victoria's phone rang.
It was Olivia.
“Mom…”
Her voice was trembling.
“I need you to come home.”
“Where are you?”
“In the basement.”
“Why?”
“I found something.”
The call suddenly ended.
Victoria and Marcus rushed home.
They found Olivia standing beside an old wooden cabinet.
She was holding a box.
Inside were dozens of documents.
Photographs.
Bank statements.
And an old recording.
Olivia looked at her mother.
“Dad has been planning this for years.”
Victoria opened the recording.
Daniel's voice filled the room.
“We need Victoria out of the way.”
Another voice answered.
A woman's voice.
Victoria recognized it immediately.
Her own sister.
Margaret.
May you like
Victoria's knees nearly gave way.
The betrayal had come from the two people she trusted most.
